Carly Schuna author page
3 puzzles by Carly Schuna
with Constructor comments
Carly Schuna is a circus artist and coach based in Madison, Wisconsin.
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This grid has a lot of attitude, which seems appropriate because so do I. My primary job is as a circus coach and performer. I always try to be kind to my students, but I do like messing with them sometimes. "You call THAT a straight leg?" "Come on, all I'm asking you to do is hang by your heels. You think that's too hard? I MEAN, REALLY!"
Fridays are my favorite solving day of the week. I absolutely love themeless puzzles. It's probably taboo for a constructor to say this, but I have never liked themes. Swapping out letters? Circling special words? No. Stop messing with my puzzle. My hatred of themes is unfortunate because it turns out themeless puzzles are really freaking hard to make. Every one I successfully create feels like a small miracle. Thank you to Dana Edwards for test solving this one, and thanks always and forever to Will Nediger for his generous mentorship when I was starting out with making puzzles.
I still have no idea what I am doing when it comes to crosswords, but I am more than happy to pay forward the incredible guidance that others have given me. Hit me up on Instagram if you have questions about constructing or would like some help, and I'll do my best to assist!
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My only regret about this grid is that it wouldn't work to have BLOW UP MY PHONE in it! It took me a while to brainstorm the full theme set, but it was old-fashioned, pure thinking without any Web searching (ironic, perhaps), and it was so satisfying to come up with each of the themers and then, finally, the revealer.
When not crosswording, I am a circus artist and coach based in Madison, Wisconsin. You can follow me on Instagram and join my Patreon if you would like to see more of my circus work. And if anyone would like to learn German wheel, teeterboard, juggling, aerial hoop, or static or flying trapeze (or hire me to perform any of them!), you know where to find me!
Thank you so much to my partner, Luke, who always puzzles with me; to my awesome test solvers; and to everyone who has encouraged me and offered feedback, especially the Inkubator team, David and Amanda at Universal, Andrew and John from Boswords, Pavel Curtis, Wren Schultz, and Jess Shulman (the best puzzle buddy EVER). Biggest thanks to Will Nediger, whose patience and amazing mentorship are why I've made any halfway decent puzzles.